Askren starts having problems in London with Masvidal, too – not only until

Photos: Ben Askren through the years

LONDON – Ben Askren was quick to start the race with another UFC welterweight.

The UFC on ESPN + 5, Jorge Masvidal (32-13 MMA, 9-6 UFC) did not appreciate Askren's presence and let him know when they would have crossed, said today. Askren (19-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC) to MMA Junkie.

"It's so funny," said former title holder of the ONE and Bellator Championship. "I have nothing to say to put myself on the skin. I say, "Hey, Jorge is here," and he begins to chatter and get angry. It's hilarious. "

Earlier this week, Masvidal called Askren's (reproach) for not playing revenge against teammate Robbie Lawler (28-13 MMA, 13-7 UFC), who had beaten Askren before a controversial loss to the team. UFC 235.

Askren also had the skin of Masvidal's UFC opponent on ESPN + 5 on Saturday, Darren Till. At a question-and-answer session with fans today in anticipation of the UFC ceremonial ceremonial weigh-in in London, Askren said he wanted to fight Till – and Till is appeared behind the scenes to return the volte and offer him an explicit message.

But back to Masvidal: Askren makes fun of his stated concern for Lawler's future.

"The reason he says this and all the other welterweight says that's because they do not want me to be on their dance card next time," he said. "Is not it obvious? Do you really think that Jorge Masvidal is so passionate about Robbie Lawler's career that he needs me to resume this fight? He does not want me to be with him! That's what he does not want.

According to Askren, this opinion goes to the top of the welterweight division, whether it comes from contenders or challengers for the title. And they reveal themselves by complaining of his presence.

"All these welterweights talk about me," he says. "It's so funny, because they say to themselves," I do not understand why he came here. "Dum-dum, that's exactly why I grabbed it – because you're talking about me."

So far, talk of revenge between Askren and Lawler has not materialized. Askren said he had not had a conversation with the UFC about a second rebate, although President Dana White's promotion targeted one after UFC 235.

"For me, it's like falling into the ear of a deaf person," he said. "I did not want to fight Robbie in the first place. I have nothing against him. There are all those welterweight people I do not like and whom I would rather fight. And it seems to me that I have to go to the next step and move on. "

That leaves Masvidal – and his next opponent, the former title challenger, Darren Till (17-1-1 MMA, 5-1-1 UFC) – as prime candidates for Askren's next octagonal exit. While new champion Kamaru Usman is expected to face former interim champion Colby Covington in his first title defense, Askren thinks that Usman is trying to avoid it.

"If I am him, and there is this guy who annoys me (whimsically) in me … and I am the champion and can call who I want, I say: "Listen, you're dead," Askren said, "and he did not say that, I think he has germs of doubt in his mind if he can beat me." or not. "

Usman would undoubtedly disagree because he and Covington have a grudge that precedes Askren's time spent at the UFC. However, with regard to the promotion and the financial feasibility of the game, Askren thinks it's the best game.

"I'm going to sell a lot more movies than Colby," he said. "Look at what metric you want, I'm much more popular than Colby, and Colby, his schtick is really simple, he can act like a racist or something, maybe it sells, I do not think sale is fighting, I think it deters people. "

Askren expects Till to stand out on Saturday at The O2, and Usman vs. Covington will co-host an à la carte event in the near future. In the meantime, he will be there, ready to aggravate.

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